New Armed Criminal Group Led by Mbalingga Identified as Shooter of US Pilot in Yahukimo

The Law Enforcement Task Force of Operation Damai Cartenz (ODC) has confirmed that the armed criminal group (KKB) responsible for shooting American pilot Nicholas F. Goselin is a new faction called Bakusip, led by M. Mbalingga. Goselin was a pilot for PT AMA.

Based on various social media posts, Bakusip claims to be part of the group led by Elkius Kobak in the Yahukimo region, said the Head of the ODC Law Enforcement Task Force, Senior Commissioner IGG Era Adhinata, in Jayapura, Papua, on Saturday. He stated that since the shooting incident on Thursday, the task force has conducted a series of investigations, including witness examinations, interviews, information gathering, and social media monitoring. The task force is still investigating the relationship between the Bakusip group and Elkius Kobak’s group.

Shortly after the incident, M. Mbalingga claimed responsibility for the action. Subsequently, Elkius Kobak also issued a similar claim, with the perpetrator displaying a photo of himself standing on the burnt PT AMA aircraft. Based on identification, the perpetrator has been confirmed as M. Mbalingga.

Investigators are still probing the motive for the attack, although in a social media recording, the armed criminal group had previously issued threats against aviation activities entering the area, which they claim as their operational zone.